A few phone calls, a plane full of supplies

Page Tools

Ten days ago, Marion van der Reijden was sitting in front of her
television, deeply shocked by footage of the Asian tsunami
disaster, and knew she had to do something to help.

She rang up local pharmacies, hospitals and medical supply
companies - and was stunned by the response.

This morning the Dutch-born 32-year-old will board a Garuda
Indonesia cargo plane, laden with $1.2 million worth of medical
supplies, for Banda Aceh.

After a swift reaction from locals, a North Sydney marketing and
advertising company set up an outbound call centre, and a team of
40 volunteers approached local and international companies for
their support.

The medical supplies were stored in a Brookvale warehouse
donated by John R. Turk, and Garuda Indonesia agreed to carry the
goods free of charge.

Ms van der Reijden and two volunteers - an English backpacker
and forensic scientist, Adam Baines, and a documentary maker,
Winston Cuthbert - will escort the goods to Aceh and ensure they
reach the Red Cross.

Reflecting on the spirit of giving that has flooded the Aid 4
Asia appeal since her appearances on Channel Nine's A Current
Affair and Today programs, Ms van der Reijden said: "I
just never would have expected to get such a huge response. Such a
huge offering from the general public, volunteers, international
companies, pharmacies and [an] airline really is overwhelming."

Manly Council has contributed logistical support and helped
process the trio's humanitarian visas, while the Manly Community
Centre has been the appeal headquarters.

Manly also pitched in on the sporting field, donating the gate
proceeds from a day-night limited-overs cricket match at Manly Oval
which attracted about 3000 people.

The same community spirit was on show across Australia on
Saturday night, when the telethon based around the Reach Out To
Asia concert at the Opera House pledged more than $20
million.

Today's highlight will be at the MCG, where a capacity crowd of
80,000 will watch the Asian XI play the Rest of the World team in a
star-studded charity match. The telecommunications company 3 has
pledged to pay $1000 for every run scored during the match to the
tsunami appeal.

People have been so moved by the devastating photographs and
television footage they have united off their own bat to help.

A benefit concert at Katoomba Civic Centre attracted almost 200
people on Saturday night and raised $5000, while about 1500 people
gathered for a picnic at Oatley Park, where the Saintalin family
collected nearly $21,000 for UNICEF.

Tomorrow, the Soho Bar at Potts Point will host a Dance for Life
party from 5pm, with all bar and entry takings to go to the
Australian Red Cross.

Other regional communities have also responded to Asia's plea
for help.

A Bathurst resident, Troy Heffernan, a senior lecturer at
Charles Sturt University, called on his friends and colleagues to
co-ordinate a fun run around the renowned V8 Supercar racing track
at Mount Panorama.

Dr Heffernan hopes to involve sporting personalities such as
Bathurst 1000 legend Peter Brock and Australian netballer Liz Ellis
in the event, encouraging a "real community atmosphere".

A date for the Mount Panorama fun run has not been set, as
details are still being negotiated with the local council.